Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17

low such an announcement at the moment
would be altogether too great to face, and
would very possibly, if prematurely made,
shake Nyleptha from her throne.
That morning we again attended in the
Throne Hall, and I could not help smiling
to myself when / compared the visit to our
last, and reflected that if walls could speak
they would have strange tales to tell.
What actresses women arei There, high
upon her golden throne, draped in her
blazoned "kaf,o or robe of state, sat the
fair Nyleptha; and when Sir Henry came
in little late, dressed in the full uniform
OF an officer of her guard and humbly
bent himself before her, she merely ac-
knowledged his salute with a careless nod
and turned her head coldly aside. It was
very large court, for not only did the
ceremony of the signing of the laws attract
many outside of those whose duty it was
to attend, but the rumor that Nasta was
going to publicly ask the hand of Nyleptha
in marriage had gone abroad, and the re-
suit was that the great hall was crowded
to its utmost capacity There were our
| friends, the priests, in force, headed by
Agon, who regarded us with a vindictive
eye, and a most imposing band they were,
with their long white embroidered robes
grit with golden chain from which hung
the fsh-like scales. There too, We're
number of the lords, each with band Of
brilliantly attired attendants, and promi-
| nent among them was Nasta, stroking his
black beard meditatively and looking I'M
| usually unpleasant 1t was a splendid
and impressive sight, especially when, the
| officer having read out each law, it was
handed to the Queens to sign, whereon the
| trumpets blared out and the Queens guard
grounded their spears with q crash, in sa-
Lutte This reading and signing of the laws
| took a long time, but at last it came to an
| end; the last one reciting that whereas
certain distinguished strangers, etc." and
| proceeding to confer on the three of US the
rank Of lords, +" together with certain mil
| itary commands and large estates bestowed
| by the Queens. When it was read the
| trumpets blared and the spears clashed
| down as usual; bat saw some Of the lords
| turn and whisper to each other, while
| Nasta ground his teeth. They did not like
| the favor that was shown to us, which I'M
| der all the circumstances was not perhaps
unnatural.
Then there came a pause, and Nasta step
| ped forward, and bowling humbly, though
with no humility in his eye craved a boon
| at the hands Of the Queen Nyleptha
| Nyleptha turned q little pale but bowed
gracioasly, and prayed the ''well-beloyed
| lord'' to- speak on; whereon in g few
| straightforward, soldier-like words. he
| asked her hand in marriage. Then before
| she could find words to answery the high
priest Agon took up the tale, and in
speech of real eloquence and power pointed
out the many advantages of the proposed
alliance: how it would consolidate the
kingdom, for Nastas dominions. Of which
he was virtually king, We're to Zu-Vendis
much what Scotland used to be to Eng
| land; how it would crafty the wild noun
| taineers and be popular among the sol
| diery, for Nasta was a famous general; how
| it would set her dynasty firmly on the
| throne, and would gain the blessing and
approval of the ''Sun." l. e., of the Office of
| the High Priest, and so on Many OF his
| arguments were undoubtedly valid, and
| there was, looking at it from a political
| point of view, everything to be said for the
marriage. But unfortunately it is difficult
I to play the game of politics with the per-
sons of young and lovely e1evcrrs UrIoussn
they were ivory effigies of themselves ON a
! chess-board. Nyleptha's face, while Agor
spouted away, was perfect study; she
set like stone, and her eyes began to flash
ominously.
At last he stopped, and she prepared her
self to answer. Before she did SO, how
ever, Sorais leant towards her and said in
a voice sufficiently loud for me to catch
what she said ''Bethink thee well, my
sister, ere thou dost speak, for methinks
that our thrones may hang upon thy
words"
Nyleptha made no answer, and with
shrug, and a smile, Sorais leant backagain
and listened
"Of truth q great honor has been done
to me,'' she said chat my poor hand
should not only have been asked in mar
riage, but that Agon here should be SO
swift to pronounce the blessing of the Sun
upon my union. Methinks that in another
minute he would have we'd us fast ere the
bride had said her say. Nasta, I thank
thee, and will bethink me Of thy words;
but now as yet have no mind for mar
riage, which is cup of which none know
the taste until they begin to drink it.
Again I thank thee, Nasta;" and she made
as though she would rise
The great lords face turned almost as
black as his beard with fury, for he knew
that the words amounted to a refusal of his
suit.
'sTnanks be to the Queen for her gracious
words" he said, restraining himself with
difficulty, and looking anything but CRATE
full; my heart shall surely treasure them.
And now | crave another boon; namely,
the royal leave to withdraw myself to my
own poor cities in the north till such time
| as the Queen shall say my suit nay or yea
Mayhap," he added with a sheer, ''the
Queen will be pleased to visit me there,
and to bring with her these stranger lords"
and he scowled darkly towards us. st is
but poor country and a rough, but we
are hardy race of mountaineers, and
there shall be gathered thirty thousand
swordsmen to shout welcome to her"
This speech, which was almost declar-
alton of rebellion, was received in complete
silence: but Nyleptha flushed up and an
swered it with spirit.
ITO be continued.
A Baptism of Water-And Kisses.